We live in the age of video content my friends, and billion-dollar multinational corporation Microsoft is moving swiftly to capitalise on this, with leaked documents appearing over the weekend that show how the company partnered with Machinima to offer YouTube creators extra cash for positive discussion of the Xbox One.

According to a leaked copy of the full legal agreement, users “may not say anything negative or disparaging about Machinima, Xbox One, or any of its Games”, and were explicitly forbidden from mentioning that they had entered into such an agreement.

While this doesn’t strictly encourage users to speak positively — they could remain neutral — the implication is clear, and the campaign was promoted to creators as “Earn an additional $3 CPM bonus for promoting the Xbox One”.

Microsoft only reportedly spent about $3,000 on the overall campaign so it was quite small change, but more than enough to raise a few eyebrows.

Instead of making a console with features that attract bulk negative press (eg. spying on you and stopping users selling games second hand) then paying people for positive press, Why don’t they just make a console that will attract positive press by including features that people want?

schrapple:
Instead of making a console with features that attract bulk negative press (eg. spying on you and stopping users selling games second hand) then paying people for positive press, Why don’t they just make a console that will attract positive press by including features that people want?

schrapple:
Instead of making a console with features that attract bulk negative press (eg. spying on you and stopping users selling games second hand) then paying people for positive press, Why don’t they just make a console that will attract positive press by including features that people want?

From what I saw when this was on reddit a few days ago, that ‘legal agreement’ is simply what you are allowed to do if you want them to accept your video for the $3 CPM. If you don’t abide by it then they simply won’t give you money, it’s not like Machinima forced anyone into this. The rules were pretty much ‘mention xbox one when you’re playing a game on the console’.

Some have argued (not here but in places like Neowin.net) that this is basically like product placement in movies and TV shows and whatnot. Which is *kinda* true, except that Microsoft absolutely suck at it and it becomes cringe-worthy when attempted.

First rule of paid advertising segment, is to announce that it’s a paid advertising segment.
How can they expect a “not allowed to tell anyone it’s a paid advertising segment” clause, and expect to get away with it?

True, but that doesn’t make it morally or ethically sound. Raising a stink every time it’s exposed is the only real way to make companies act more honestly (hopelessly idealistic I know, but companies don’t do shit unless it makes them money or risks losing money).

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